Sigrid Ødegård, one of Norway's foremost zealots in rheumatology, has been awarded this year's clinician prize by the Norwegian Rheumatology Association (NRF). The award was presented during the NRF's Christmas meeting in 2024, in recognition of her extraordinary efforts.
A clinician in a special class,
Sigrid Ødegård has for almost 30 years been an invaluable resource at Diakonhjemmet hospital, where she works with patients at the National Treatment Service for Rheumatological Rehabilitation (NBRR).
- Throughout her career, she has shown an extraordinary ability to combine extensive medical knowledge with an empathetic and holistic approach to patient treatment, says Kjetil Bergsmark, head of the Clinic for Rheumatology, outpatient clinic and research.
Colleagues describe her as an invaluable partner who always puts the patient at the centre. In interdisciplinary teams and in teaching arenas, she is known for her wisdom, professional integrity and commitment.
- Sigrid has a unique ability to create an alliance with patients who have previously faced a lot of resistance in the healthcare system. She manages to help them regain their faith in recovery. For many patients, it is absolutely essential for the further rehabilitation process, says Susanne Brøndbo, const. head of NBRR.
A resource for the whole of Norway 
Sigrid Ødegård received NRF's Clinic Award 2024 Through lectures, teaching and publications, Sigrid Ødegård has spread knowledge about the rehabilitation of complex rheumatic patients. She has particularly been a champion for patients with demanding and complex conditions, which can often be challenging for both patient and practitioner.
Her work has contributed to strengthening the field of rehabilitation, even in times of increasing demands for efficiency. With her background as a researcher, including a PhD in epidemiology and arthritis, she has a solid professional platform that supports her clinical work.
The Clinic Award - an important recognition
The Clinic Award is awarded annually by the NRF to a practicing rheumatologist who has distinguished himself with significant commitment to the profession, inspired colleagues and improved everyday life for rheumatologists. The prize of NOK 25,000 is intended to honor zealots who have used their energy and expertise to promote rheumatology.
Diakonhjemmet hospital has every reason to be proud that one of their own has received this prestigious award. We congratulate Sigrid Ødegård on this year's clinician award and thank her - so far - for the invaluable effort she has made for the patients and the rheumatology field in Norway.
Sigrid Ødegård's speech during the award ceremony
Maud-Kristine Aga Ljosa gave a passionate speech:
This year's winner of the clinician award is a truly experienced rheumatologist. She - yes, I say she, so all the male rheumatologists sitting with a thank-you note in their pocket can safely leave it alone.
She - this year's winner - handles the most difficult, most demanding, most exhausted and actually for the doctor - also exhausting patients in rheumatism Norway. Colleagues say she exudes life wisdom, experience, wisdom and competence. She is the lynchpin of the large interdisciplinary team at the section where she works and highly valued by all her closest colleagues, across professional groups.
In discussions, she advocates the patient's case with warmth and commitment. She is empathetic and good when dealing with complex patients and their relatives, and always with great professional integrity.
She is a resource for the whole of Norway, and has traveled a lot, speaking and writing about complex rehabilitation. She has made herself the spokesperson for a group of patients that many of us experience as very demanding, and that we are tempted to give up completely.
She has built up a unique expertise in the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatic disease combined with complex problems; overuse of painkillers, anxiety, chronic pain, adaptation difficulties and all the misery of the world. There are many of us who are happy to have been helped to deal with these patients. And by now everyone has long since realized that this year's winner is Sigrid Ødegård at Diakonhjememt hospital.
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Here you can experience Sigrid Ødegård in her latest webinar from November 2024; Late diagnosis in rheumatic disease
Read more about NBRR
Read more about the Clinic for Rheumatology, outpatient clinic and research
